Kemin Industries has been granted a United States patent (US 10,912,794) on the use of beta 1,3 glucan for modulating human immune function and treating intestinal inflammation. This new patent joins a previously issued patent (US 9,574,217) on the production of beta-glucan for immune modulation using algae from a proprietary strain of Euglena gracilis, ATCC PTA-123017.

Plant-based omega-3 pioneers Qualitas Health, Ltd., (doing business as “iwi”) is now partnering with Spain’s Grupo Indukern, Barcelona, and Sweden’s Gullspång Re:food VC, Stockholm. Officials say these strategic partnerships help Qualitas Health accelerate company growth through development of innovative, algae-centered products and increase its footprint in the plant-based products market.

AIDP, Inc. announced findings of a recent bioavailability study on VegD3®, a vegan, organic form of vitamin D3. The study was completed in Ireland through the research and development business, AnaBio Technologies Ltd., together with University College Dublin in 2020. 

Lycored has increased its range of natural astaxanthin products with the launch of an oleoresin as well as a microencapsulated starch beadlet, rounding out the company’s application capabilities for the antioxidant.

Stauber Ingredients, part of Hawkins Inc., will begin producing and distributing Aquamin Plus, a new ingredient for next generation of joint health products.

More consumers than ever before are gravitating toward plant-based protein sources to meet their daily protein requirements.

One of the greatest challenges facing manufacturers and their culinary teams is developing products that not only meet the health, environmental, and clean-label demands of consumers, but that also deliver the high-quality taste and texture profiles indispensable to success. It falls on ingredient makers and suppliers to support these efforts.

Valensa International, Eustis, Fla., reached an agreement with Algal Scientific Corporation, Plymouth, Mich., to commercialize Algal’s PureAlgal™ branded ingredients—whole dried microalgae (Euglena gracilis) and purified beta-1,3-glucan—for the human health and nutrition markets. 

Highlighted in all flavors will be nutrient-dense algae-based superfoods, such as chlorella and Blue Majik spirulina.

Notable efforts at producing plant-derived meat substitutes and analogs abound. And sports and energy food and beverage designers tapped into the value of protein for active bodies years ago. Further, with a major shift under way to reduce reliance on meat as a primary daily source of protein, ingredient technologists are engaged in providing high-value, technologically advanced protein alternatives.